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The Scent of Youth by Mandi Martin

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Blurb - Scorned for his unusual appearance and nature, young Josiah’s expulsion from school leads him to the grim world of rat-catching at the local orphanage. Amid new-found bonds and a simmering animosity, a longing for independence draws him towards the quiet life of a nearby village. Welcomed by kind souls, Josiah earns his keep as a skilled vermin remover and helpful stable hand. But when a rat-borne illness strikes the town, Josiah’s unique abilities bring him to the attention of the imposing Duke. Within the castle walls, caught in the strange dynamic between the Duke’s son Bergen and the formidable Helga – children and ogres in one – Josiah’s life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of the spirited Nadia. Their shared love of poetry ignites a passionate connection, but joy is fragile, and loss leaves an indelible mark. Unbeknownst to Josiah, Helga’s deep-seated hatred of children is taking root within the Duke’s domain, setting in motion a chain of events that will irrevo...
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The Call - Peadar O'Guilin

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  A fusion of folklore, adventure and resilience, this empowering and immersive novel captivates both detailed mythology and suspense. It is a must read for YA fans of intense imaginative fantasy.  The Call is a novel rich in detail and insight with a narrative that succeeds in exploring thrilling adventure, fantasy folklore and themes of resilience simultaneously. This novel is both elegant and purposeful as it follows the central character, Nessa’s exhilarating chase and exhaustive training towards her eventual and destined “Call” into the supernatural world to determine her fortune in the matter of exactly three minutes and four seconds, despite all the obstacles and obvious difficulties in her way. The element of suspense throughout is riveting and its momentum compelled me to read continuously.  In my opinion, the book’s most striking feature was the inclusion of the enchanted and historical Irish fair-folk, the Sídhe, being banished from the world and seeking hatefu...
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Lila Mackay Is Very Misunderstood - Gill Sims

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A spectacular novel serving as a relatable and realistic mirror of young lives.  ‘Lila Mackay Is Very Misunderstood' is a mesmerizing tale that will teleport you into the world of exploring the prevailing experiences of growing up and adapting to life’s difficult complications. Reading this novel is the finest way to spend your Summer relaxing with a book-in-hand, underneath the sun as throughout the novel, we dive into the protagonist, Emily’s Summer starting off with a train ride to her impending doom with no access to technology, no social life and no entertainment except her Mum (Lila Mackay)’s diary and Uncle Tom’s snippets from the past to keep her company. No one seems to understand her despair and longing to spend a normal summer with her BFF Poppy and the stunning Toby. This spectacular novel serves as a realistic and relatable mirror of young lives. As a perfect representation of the teenage years of life along with the generational differences. My favourite part is the p...
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American Mystery (Don't Doubt the Rainbow 3) - Anthony Kessel

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A genuinely delightful American Mystery that is an authentic tale which carries a sense of possibility and hope! Don’t Doubt the Rainbow is truly an entrancing sequel of a compelling contemporary detective series that has inspired me to further explore the genre that is so suspenseful, mysterious, and captivating. Full of riveting twists and turns in the plot, the novel is based on a young Detective, Edie Marbles, a nationally renowned detective who averted a catastrophe. The author creates a fascinating novella that encompasses not only a storyline full of an exotic mixture of tension and excitement but revolves around mental health education and proves to be a valuable asset to the improvement of the well-being of many young readers The protagonist, Edie and her grandpa uncover a deep ancestral secret that haunts the backbone of Edie’s journey to Toronto, Washington DC, North Carolina and Dartmoor. Readers are taken through the intrinsically detailed adventure as when all cards are r...
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Falling For A Star In The City - Krysten Lindsay Hager

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  Falling For a Star in the City - Book Review Falling For a Star in the City is intrinsically a riveting novella, full of an exotic mixture of passion and romance. Written by the Best-selling Author Krysten Lindsay Hager, it is emotionally driven as it explores several key themes of struggling with the challenges of navigating through life to find purpose and true love. The leading character, Paige Kramar is a young actress in New York City who is flourishing in all aspects; a successful college freshman year, a job as an actress on a widely known soap opera, and a rock star boyfriend.  However, when her star role suddenly has a brief hiatus and her family continues to relent her for the instability that it causes in her career, Paige is left feeling as if she is thrown into a roller-coaster of emotions as she is forced to let her acting dreams to drift behind and a sudden break-up leads her into a turmoil of emotions. Stepping through the whirlwind of events, Paige is stunne...
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The 10pm Question by Kate De Goldi

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 The 10pm Question strikes me to be an immensely innovative, realistic and witty novel as it thoroughly explores the ideas behind the conventional experience of one understanding or adapting to life’s complex and intricate ways. Frankie is a sensible, thoughtful and intelligent young character whose every waking second is invaded by worries about whether the batteries in the smoke alarm are working, if “The Fat Controller” has enough cat food or if the world with explode due to the rising cases of bird flu. Most of the people that Frankie’s world seems to revolve around seem to keep untroubled, whether that is his irritating sister, his adventurous brother or his fat whiskey-swilling aunts, it is only his beloved Ma that handles his never-ending persistent questions. However out of all of his 10pm questions, there is one that he is hesitant to bring himself to ask.  The protagonist of the book, Frankie Parsons is driven by control, organisation and structure as he starts the d...
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Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

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Where Sleeping Girls Lie is a haunting yet compelling novel that reaches out to every thriller reader. Written by the Bestselling Author of the Ace of Spades, the book entails a plot filled with rivalry, revenge and mystery.  A compelling and addicting thriller written expertly by the author of the Bestselling Novel, Ace of Spades. The book is a spectacular follow-up full of fascinating spirals of plot twists and events that held me mesmerized for days. The mystical concept of suspense was extremely captivating for a reader. The hidden meaning behind the story was complex and was written for young girls reaching out with the message that healing from deep wounds and struggles is not impossible! Sade Hussein as a protagonist enrols in the all-known prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy home to many aspiring young students. Hussein is carrying with her the whole package of troubles, grief and misery as she steps into the fancy brick walls, polished peaks, and exclusive architecture. But a...
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